Prepay telecommunications system

ABSTRACT

The prepay telecommunications system ( 60 ) includes a prepay call, management, platform ( 50 ) which is directly coupled to a telecommunications carrier switch ( 24 ). A customer database ( 116 ) is coupled to the prepay call management platform ( 50 ) for storing prepay customer data, and a plurality of customer interface facilities ( 62, 64, 66, 68, 80 ) are provided for accepting customer prepayment and immediately updating the customer database ( 116 ). The prepay calls are recognized by the mobile identification number and is routed to the prepay call management platform ( 50 ) coupled to and co-located with the telecommunications carrier switch ( 24 ). The customer account balance associated with the prepay call is looked up in a customer database ( 116 ), and the maximum allowable call duration in response to the customer account balance is computed. The prepay call is then released to the telecommunications carrier switch ( 24 ) for line termination. At the same time, a call duration timer is started. The call is disconnected in response to the call duration timer reaching the maximum allowable call duration. The prepay telecommunications system is applicable to both wireless and non-wireless telecommunications systems.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/793,064, filed Feb. 26, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,625,438, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/399,915, filed Sep.21, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,851 (issued Mar. 27, 2001), which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/794,463, filed Feb.4, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,300 (issued May 2, 2000).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The world of wireless telecommunications is entering a new era with theadvent of personal communications services (PCS). The constant trendtoward lower and lower subscriber acquisition costs and higher marketpenetration is creating a demand for more effective ways to offer thewireless service to broader segments of the population. However, a largepercentage of applicants are normally turned away from wireless carriersdue to poor or insufficient credit, although many of these applicants dopossess the ability to pay for the service. Accordingly, a growingsegment within the wireless telecommunications market is the prepaidwireless service.

The typical wireless service requires its subscriber caller to deposit acertain amount of funds, by cash, credit card, and/or other means, intoan account. As the caller uses the wireless service, the account balanceis deducted. As long as there are funds in the account, the caller maycontinue to use the wireless service. Additional deposits may be made toreplenish the account balance.

There are however, several disadvantages associated with traditionalprepaid wireless accounts. First, the caller may be required to enter anadditional authorization code or personal identification number (PIN) inorder to place each call. Some debit cards or debit systems may requirethe customer to enter as many as 31 additional digits. Second, thetraditional prepaid wireless services lack the ability to disconnect acall during the call when the account balance is fully depleted. Third,there is substantial lag time between the time of the call and the timethe amount of funds expended by a call is posted to the account.Therefore, it may be seen that the wireless service provider experiencescredit exposure with post call billing and the inability to disconnectcalls as soon as the accounts are depleted of funds. While theseproblems are most acute in the wireless industry, they are also aproblem in other telecommunications systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, there is a need for a prepay telecommunications system thatis transparent to its user except to pay in advance for the services.Further, there is a need to be able to monitor the call in real-time inorder to disconnect calls as soon as funds are depleted in the account.

In accordance with the present invention, a prepay telecommunicationssystem with live call management is provided which eliminates orsubstantially reduces the disadvantages associated with prior prepayservices.

In one aspect of the invention, a prepay telecommunications systemincludes a prepay call management platform which is directly coupled andco-located with a telecommunications carrier switch. The system furtherincludes a customer database coupled to the prepay call, managementplatform for storing prepay customer data.

In another aspect of the invention, a prepay telecommunications systemincludes a, prepay call management platform which is directly coupled,and co-located with a telecommunications carrier switch, and a customerdatabase coupled to the prepay call management platform for storingprepay customer data. Further provided is a plurality of customerinterface facilities for accepting customer prepayment and immediatelyupdating the customer database.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for live callmanagement of a prepay call includes the steps of recognizing a prepaycall at a telecommunications carrier switch, and routing, the prepaycall to a prepay call management platform coupled to and co-located withthe telecommunications carrier switch. The customer account balanceassociated with the prepay call is looked up in a customer datadatabase, and the maximum allowable call duration in response to thecustomer account balance is computed. The prepay call is then releasedto the telecommunications carrier switch for line termination. At thesame time, a call duration timer is started. The call is disconnected inresponse to the call duration timer reaching the maximum allowable callduration.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method for live callmanagement of a prepay call includes the steps of recognizing a roamingcall at a telecommunications carrier switch, routing the roaming call toa roaming platform coupled to the telecommunications carrier switch, andrecognizing the roaming call being associated with a prepay account at ahome prepay call management platform. The customer account balanceassociated with the roaming call is looked up in a customer datadatabase coupled to the home prepay call management platform and themaximum allowable call duration in response to the customer accountbalance is determined. The call is then released to the roamingplatform, which in turn releases it to the telecommunications carrierswitch for line termination. A call duration timer is started and thecall is disconnected in response to the call duration timer reaching themaximum allowable call duration.

A technical advantage of the prepay wireless telecommunications systemof the present invention is the ease of use, since callers do not needto remember or dial any authorization codes or personal identificationnumbers. Further, customer accounts are immediately updated to reflectany replenishing transactions or funds expended by calls. Mostimportantly, by offering the prepay services of the present invention,the telecommunications carrier does not experience unnecessary creditexposure due to depleted funds or fraud.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may bemade to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary telecommunications networkaccording to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary prepay wirelesstelecommunications architecture according, to the teachings of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary prepay wireless platformaccording to the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary prepay wireless call processingprocedure according to the teachings of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary prepay wireless call processingwith roaming according to the teachings of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention is (are)illustrated in FIGS. 1–5, like reference numerals being used to refer tolike and corresponding parts of the various drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of an exemplary, telecommunicationsnetwork 10 according to the teachings of the present invention is shown.Telecommunications network is preferably constructed pursuant to theAdvanced Intelligent Network (AIN) architecture 10. Telecommunicationsnetwork, 10 includes, a service control point (SCP) 12 coupled to asignal transfer point (STP) 14 through a signaling system no. 7 (SS7)link set 16 specified by the Consultative Committee on InternationalTelephone and Telegraph (CCITT) An SS7 link set, may include up tosixteen 56 Kb/s links. STP 14 is in turn coupled to one or more serviceswitching points (SSP) 18 also via SS7 link sets. SSPs 18 connecttelephone service customers 20 to the telecommunications network.

A wireless telephone system 22 is further coupled to STP 14 to providewireless telecommunications services to wireless service customers 26.Wireless telephone system 22 may include a wireless or cellular switchresiding in a mobile telecommunications, switching office (MTSO) 24.Wireless telephone system 22 encompassing one or more MTSO 24 mayinclude a number of land-based transmission towers 28 and/orsatellite-based wireless transponders (not shown). Calls may originatefrom a non-wireless telephone customer 20 to another non-wirelesstelephone customer 20, from a wireless telephone customer 26 to anotherwireless telephone customer 26, from a non-wireless telephone customer20 to a wireless telephone customer 26, and vice versa. According to theteachings of the present invention, a prepay wireless platform 50 iscoupled to cellular switch 24 to provide live call management therefor.Prepay wireless platform 50 may also be hereinafter referred to as aprepay call management platform 50. Preferably, prepay wireless platform50 is co-located with cellular switch 24 or located on-site withcellular switch 24. The communications span between cellular switch 24and prepay wireless platform 50 may be a T1 line, an SS7 link set, orany other suitable medium according to any other suitable communicationsprotocol.

It is important to note that prepay call management platform 50 may alsobe coupled to SSP 18 to provide prepay live call management tonon-wireless telecommunications systems in a similar manner. Althoughthe detailed description below is directed toward applications to awireless telecommunications system, the discussion is equally applicableto a non-wireless telecommunications system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary prepay wirelesstelecommunications architecture 60 according to the teachings of, thepresent invention. A number of customer interface facilities 62, such asauthorized sales agents 64, retail outlets 66, and replenishinglocations 68 are employed to provide a network of convenient accesspoints to the customers. Card readers 69 may be employed at customerinterface facilities 62 to read customer data stored in a deposit cardissued to each prepay customer. A log 70 of customer information is keptat each respective customer interface facility 62 to record the customernames, account numbers, and the transaction amounts. The customers mayactivate prepay wireless service and replenish their accounts at any ofthese customer interface facilities 62. Further, customer interfacefacilities 62 may also include a clearinghouse network 80 which includesa large number of nationwide or global retail locations, such as theTravelers Express™, that may also be used to replenish prepay wirelessaccounts. Clearinghouse 80 may further maintain a log 70 of its customerinformation. Authorized sales agents 64, retail outlets 66, andreplenishing locations 68 may have dial-up connections to clearinghousenetwork 80, which may be coupled to a command center 84 through a packetswitching X.25 span specified by the CCITT, for example.

Clearinghouse 80 may further be coupled to an optional command center 84via an X.25 link, for example., Command center 84 may serve to overseethe operations of prepay wireless telecommunications service and as aninterface between customer interface units 62 and clearinghouse 80 toprepay wireless platforms 50. A log 70 of customer information may alsobe maintained at command center 84.

Command center 84 preferably communicates with one or more prepaywireless platforms 50 via a frame relay network 90. Each wirelessplatform 50 maintains a database 92 of its customers. Prepay wirelessplatforms 50 may further communicate with one another and to one or moreroaming platforms 96 via frame relay network 90. Each roaming platform96 preferably maintains a roaming customer database 98. At other sitesor cities, co-located prepay and roam wireless platforms 93 may servethe local wireless subscriber community. Databases 99 storing customerdata related to prepay accounts and roaming capabilities are coupled toeach prepay/roam platform, 93. Prepay/roam platforms 93 may communicatewith one another and with prepay wireless platforms 50 and roamingplatforms 96 via frame relay network 90. As each customer activates aprepay wireless account, he/she is assigned a primary or home prepaywireless platform 50, where data associated with the customer's prepayaccount is stored.

In operation, cash, bank drafts, credit cards, and telephone companybilling may be used to replenish the prepay wireless account at anycustomer interface facility 62. A deposit card (not shown) which has amagnetic strip, embedded chip, or another storage medium, recording thecustomer's name and account number may be issued to each customer.Customer interface facilities 62 preferably, employ data card readers 69to obtain the information stored in the customer's deposit card and toimmediately relay this information and the transaction amount to thecustomer's home prepay wireless platform 50. The transaction amount isthen immediately posted to the customer's account, to reflect the newbalance. This transaction is similar to a credit card or debit cardtransaction at a point of sale (POS). If authorized, the customer mayalso dial a pre-assigned code with the wireless telephone to replenishhis/her account with a credit card. Constructed in this manner, thecustomer may immediately begin to use the wireless services.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary prepay wireless platform 50according to, the teachings of the present invention. Prepay wirelessplatform 50 includes a primary call manager unit 102 and an optionalbackup call manager unit 110. Primary call manager unit. 102 may includeone or more switch matrices 104, each being coupled to a respective callprocessor 106. Call processors 106 provide voice prompts andannouncements, account balance computations, call progress monitoringand call blocking. Automatic voice announcements may be programmed toprovide the customer the remaining balance in the prepay account at thebeginning of a call and reminders to replenish accounts prior to calltermination when a preset minimum is reached. If desired, multi-lingualvoice announcements may be configured to meet the customer's preference.

Backup call manager 110 may be similarly constructed with one or morestandby switch matrices 104 and a standby processor 106. The number ofstandby switch matrices and standby call processors is dependent on thelevel of redundancy required, which may be 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, etc. Switchmatrices 104 may be implemented with Nortel™ Meridian™ switches andother switches of similar operational characteristics and functionality.

It may be seen that primary and standby call manager units 102 and 110may be implemented by only a computing processor if prepay wirelessplatform 50 is more highly integrated with the carrier's switch 24, sothat the functionality of switch matrix 104 is carried out thereby.

Primary and standby call manager units 102 and 110 are preferablyco-located with cellular switch 24 and are coupled thereto via a T1,SS7, or any other suitable link. Call processors 106 are further coupledto a database server 114, which maintains a pair of mirrored databases116 to provide redundancy and ensure the integrity of the data. Databaseserver 114 and call processors 106 may be implemented by any processorunit with adequate processing capacity and speed, and may be a personalcomputer, a workstation, a mini-computer, or the like. Database server114 is further coupled to a router 118 which-provides data and messagerouting functions between prepay wireless platform 50 and customerservice/system administration/POS terminals 120 via a local area network(LAN), and to customer interface facilities 62 (FIG. 2) via frame relaynetwork 90.

In operation, prepay wireless platform 50 may accept dual-tonemultifrequency (DTMF), multifrequency (MF), or primate rate addressingprotocols from cellular switch 24. When cellular switch 24 recognizes aprepay wireless customer by the mobile identification number (MIN),cellular switch 24 transfers the call to prepay wireless platform 50 foraccount balance verification, individual account processing requests,and then routes the call back to the cellular carrier for callcompletion. However, if there is insufficient funds in the caller'saccount, the call is not completed except calls for emergency 911 orcustomer service, for example. If a caller's account balance isexhausted while in the middle of a call, the call is disconnectedimmediately.

Because prepay wireless platform 50 is directly coupled to the cellularcarrier's switch and resides in close proximately or on-site with thecellular switch, local, calls stay within the carrier's network.Further, customer data is readily accessible by the cellular switch'spersonnel via a LAN connection or a local dial-up protocol. Moreimportantly, live in-call management is possible to avoid unnecessarycredit exposure.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary prepay wireless call processingprocedure 200 according to the teachings of the present invention.Referring also to FIG. 3, switch matrix 104 of prepay wireless platform50 receives a call from cellular switch 24, as shown in block 202.Cellular switch 24 recognizes a prepay wireless call by the MIN, or morespecifically, by the customer group office code (NPA-NXX). Prepaywireless customers may be assigned customer group office codes within apredetermined range for ease of recognition.

Upon receiving a call, a database lookup of database 116 is performed tolocate the data related to the prepay wireless customer, such as theaccount balance, as shown in block 204. Call processor 106 thendetermines the rate per minute the present call is to be charged, whichis dependent on whether the call is local or long distance, or theaccess and air time fees and applicable taxes, etc. From the rate perminute, the amount of time available for the call is computed based onthe amount of funds available in the customer's account, as shown inblock 206. This computed amount, in number of minutes, for example, isthe maximum allowable call duration. If the time is zero, as determinedin block 208, then a voice announcement is played by call processor 106to inform the customer, and the call is disconnected, as shown in blocks210 and 212. The process then terminates 214.

If, on the other hand, there are sufficient funds left in the account toconnect the call, the call is released back to cellular switch 24 forline termination, as shown in block 220. Once the call is released tocellular switch 24, call processor 106 starts a call duration timer, asshown in block 222. Call processor, 106 further monitors the call forhardware answer supervision that indicates call completion, as shown inblock 224. The call is torn down and disconnected when either of twoconditions shown in block 226 becomes true:

-   -   1. The call is disconnected at the originating or terminating        equipment; or    -   2. The call duration timer has reached the computed maximum        allowable call duration.        As soon as one of the above conditions is true, the call is        disconnected, as shown in block 230. The amount of funds        expended by the call is then computed and immediately posted to        the customer's account balance stored in databases 116, as shown        in blocks 232 and 234. The process then terminates in block 214.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary prepay wireless call processingwith roaming 240 according to the teachings of the present invention.Cellular switch 24 transfers the call to a manual or credit card roamingplatform 96 after it recognizes the call as unauthorized to roam, asshown in block 242. Roaming platform 96 may be a platform that ison-site with a cellular switch 24, such as an American Roaming Networkoffered by National Telemanagement Corporation of Dallas, Tex. Roamingplatform 96 then performs a database lookup to determine if the NPA-NXXof the caller's MIN is an authorized home carrier prepay area codeexchange. Additionally, roaming platform 96 determines whether the roammarket or carrier (the wireless carrier serving the caller) allowsprepay roaming with the caller's home market or carrier, as shown inblock 244. If either condition is not met, then the call is processed asa credit card call or a manual roaming call, as shown in block 246.

If both conditions in block 244 are satisfied, then roaming platform 96looks up the caller's home market and transfers the call thereto, asshown in block 248. In addition, as shown in block 250, roaming platform96 sends certain data to the caller's home prepay wireless platform 50,such as the area or location the request for service, originates from,and what type of service is requested and the rate for that type ofservice if the rate is determined by the roam carrier. Typically, theroam carrier dictates both the scope of the local calling area and thelong distance rates applicable to calls terminating outside of the localcalling area. The caller's home market dictates the access and air timefees charged to the caller while making calls within the roam market.

Once the call is transferred to home prepay wireless platform 50, callprocessor 106 performs further database lookups to make severaldeterminations. In block 252, call processor 106 determines whetherprepay call is allowed to roam. The option to roam in other markets maybe flagged in multiple locations, such as a system-wide flag whichindicates whether roaming is permitted for any subscriber to that prepaywireless platform 50, and an individual subscriber may be flagged toindicate whether roaming is permitted for that particular subscriber. Ifeither flag indicates that the caller is not allowed to roam, then thecall is processed as a credit card or manual roaming call in block 246.If the caller is allowed to roam, then the minimum balance required forthe roaming call is computed, as shown in block 254. If the accountbalance of the caller is not equal to or greater than the minimumbalance, the caller cannot roam on the prepay account, and the call isprocessed as a credit card or manual roaming call in block 246. If thereis sufficient funds in the caller's account, then the amount of timeavailable for the roaming call is computed or the maximum allowable callduration, as shown in block 260. This value may be determined by firstconsulting an established rate table for the roam market and maintainedat prepay wireless platform 50. The rate table (not shown) may includeinformation such as the roaming charges delineated by time of day, bycall, and/or minutes of use. The call roaming minute rate is thusdetermined. Further, calling restrictions, if any, are looked up indatabase 116 and adhered to. The computation for the amount of timeavailable for the call also takes into account any long distance chargesand applicable taxes.

Home prepay wireless platform 50 then returns the computed maximumallowable call duration value and any calling restrictions to roamingplatform 96, and also releases the call back to the roaming platform'sswitch for termination, as shown in block 264. A prepay wirelessplatform co-located with roaming platform 96 then starts a call durationtimer and monitors for call termination in blocks 266 and 268. If thecall is disconnected at either the originating or terminating equipmentor the call duration timer reaches the predetermined maximum allowablecall duration received from home prepay wireless platform 50, asdetermined in block 270, then the call is disconnected in block 272. Theamount used up by the call is computed and immediately posted to thecaller's account balance stored, at home prepay wireless platform 50 toreflect a lower amount, as shown in block 274 and 276. The process thenterminates in block 247.

Constructed and operating in this manner, live call management, ispossible to protect wireless carriers, from fraud and calls made on,depleted accounts. Further, complete records of all activation andreplenishment transactions and details of each call are, available tothe prepay, wireless service administration and the cellular carriers,unlike systems which route, prepay calls to remote switches forprocessing. Prepay wireless customers may activate or replenish theiraccounts at a comprehensive network of easily accessible locations,which relays the transaction amounts to the account balance databases,in real-time. No cumbersome access codes, PINs, and debit cards arerequired to use the, pre pay wireless service of the present invention.

Although several embodiments of the present invention and its advantageshave been described in detail, it should be understood that a myriad ofmutations, changes, substitutions, transformations, modifications,variations, and alterations can be made therein without departing fromthe teachings of the present invention, the spirit and scope of theinvention being set forth by the appended claims.

1. A method for managing a prepay wireless call, comprising: at aroaming platform: transferring a wireless call, received from a cellularswitch, to a home prepay call management platform; at the home prepaycall management platform: receiving the wireless call from the roamingplatform; determining a prepay account balance associated with thewireless call; computing a maximum allowable call duration based on theprepay account balance; sending the maximum allowable call duration tothe roaming platform; releasing the wireless call back to the roamingplatform; at a roaming prepay call management platform co-located withthe roaming platform: starting a call duration timer; and if the callduration timer reaches the maximum allowable call duration,disconnecting the call.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: atthe roaming platform: determining whether the wireless call isauthorized; and if the wireless call is not authorized, processing thecall as at least one of a credit card call and a manual roaming call. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein said determining whether the wirelesscall is authorized includes: determining whether a customer group officecode of a mobile identification number associated with the wireless callis an authorized prepay area code exchange of a home carrier; anddetermining whether the cellular switch allows prepay roaming with thehome carrier.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: at theroaming platform: sending, to the home prepay call management platform,a wireless call origination area, a wireless call service type, and awireless call roaming rate.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein thewireless call roaming rate includes at least one of a local rate and along distance rate.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: at thehome prepay call management platform: determining whether the wirelesscall is allowed to roam; and if the wireless call is not allowed toroam, processing the call as at least one of a credit card call and amanual roaming call.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: atthe home prepay call management platform: computing a minimum balance;comparing the prepay account balance to the minimum balance; if theprepay account balance is less than the minimum balance, processing thecall as at least one of a credit card call and a manual roaming call. 8.The method of claim 1, further comprising: at the home prepay callmanagement platform: sending wireless call restrictions to the roamingplatform.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining a prepayaccount balance includes: sending, to a customer database server, arequest to lookup the prepay account balance; and receiving, from thecustomer database server, the prepay account balance.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: computing an amount of funds expended bythe wireless call; and sending, to the customer database server, theamount of funds expended from the prepay account balance.
 11. The methodof claim 10, further comprising: at the customer database server:posting the amount of funds expended from the prepay account balance.12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: at the customer databaseserver: receiving a prepayment amount associated with a prepay account;and posting the prepayment amount to the prepay account.
 13. The methodof claim 1, wherein said computing a maximum allowable call durationincludes: determining a rate per minute; and computing the maximumallowable call duration, in minutes, based on the prepay account balanceand the rate per minute.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said rateper minute is based on at least one of a wireless call roaming rate, anaccess rate, and an air time rate.
 15. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: if the maximum allowable call duration is not greater thanzero, disconnecting the call.
 16. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: at the roaming prepay call management platform: monitoringthe call for an indication of call completion; and if call completion isindicated, disconnecting the call.
 17. A system for managing a prepaywireless call, comprising: a roaming platform, coupled to a cellularswitch, to: transfer a wireless call received from a cellular switch; ahome prepay call management platform, coupled to the roaming platform,to: receive the wireless call from the roaming platform; determine aprepay account balance associated with the wireless call; compute amaximum allowable call duration based on the prepay account balance;send the maximum allowable call duration to the roaming platform;release the wireless call back to the roaming platform; a roaming prepaycall management platform, coupled to the roaming platform, to: start acall duration timer; and if the call duration timer reaches the maximumallowable call duration, disconnect the call.
 18. The system of claim17, wherein the roaming platform is further adapted to: determinewhether the wireless call is authorized; and if the wireless call is notauthorized, process the call as at least one of a credit card call and amanual roaming call.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein to determinewhether the wireless call is authorized includes to: determine whether acustomer group office code of a mobile identification number associatedwith the wireless call is an authorized prepay area code exchange of ahome carrier; and determine whether the cellular switch allows prepayroaming with the home carrier.
 20. The system of claim 17, wherein theroaming platform is further adapted to: send, to the home prepay callmanagement platform, a wireless call origination area, a wireless callservice type, and a wireless call roaming rate.
 21. The system of claim20, wherein the wireless call roaming rate includes at least one of alocal rate and a long distance rate.
 22. The system of claim 17, whereinthe home prepay call management platform is further adapted to:determine whether the wireless call is allowed to roam; and if thewireless call is not allowed to roam, process the call as at least oneof a credit card call and a manual roaming call.
 23. The system of claim17, wherein the home prepay call management platform is further adaptedto: compute a minimum balance; compare the prepay account balance to theminimum balance; if the prepay account balance is less than the minimumbalance, process the call as at least one of a credit card call and amanual roaming call.
 24. The system of claim 17, wherein the home prepaycall management platform is further adapted to: send wireless callrestrictions to the roaming platform.
 25. The system of claim 17,further comprising: a customer database server, coupled to the homeprepay call management platform, to store prepay account information.26. The system of claim 25, wherein to determine a prepay accountbalance includes to: send, to the customer database server, a request tolookup the prepay account balance; and receive, from the customerdatabase server, the prepay account balance.
 27. The system of claim 26,wherein the home prepay call management platform is further adapted to:compute an amount of funds expended by the wireless call; and send, tothe customer database server, the amount of funds expended from theprepay account balance.
 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the customerdatabase server is further adapted to: posting the amount of fundsexpended from the prepay account balance.
 29. The system of claim 28,wherein the customer database server is further adapted to: receive aprepayment amount associated with a prepay account; and post theprepayment amount to the prepay account.
 30. The system of claim 17,wherein to compute a maximum allowable call duration includes to:determine a rate per minute; and compute the maximum allowable callduration, in minutes, based on the prepay account balance and the rateper minute.
 31. The system of claim 30, wherein said rate per minute isbased on at least one of a wireless call roaming rate, an access rate,and an air time rate.
 32. The system of claim 17, wherein the homeprepay call management platform is further adapted to: disconnect thecall if the maximum allowable call duration is not greater than zero.33. The system of claim 17, wherein the roaming prepay call managementplatform is further adapted to: monitor the call for an indication ofcall completion; and if call completion is indicated, disconnect thecall.